The Narcissim of Doug Gross

May 14, 2009 by 4 Comments

Doug Gross

Doug Gross is quickly becoming an embarrassment to Iowa Republicans. The former gubernatorial candidate has been relentless in his quest to find a candidate for Governor that he finds acceptable. However his search has not yielded the results that he has hoped for. And to top this off he has been constant in his lecturing of the party faithful that they need to compromise their beliefs in order regain the seats of power in Iowa government. And time after time he has been dealt setback after setback. I applaud Mr. Gross for his desire to be involved in the Republican Party, but the time has come where his efforts have become more of an embarrassment rather than an asset.

The names of several of his potential candidates for Governor have found their way into the public light. Former Iowa Governor Terry Branstead is one of those names. And yet when questioned by the media Branstead has denied any interest in running for Iowa’s highest office again. Another was Vermeer Manufacturing CEO Mary Andringa. She too has denied any intention or even interest in running for Governor of Iowa. And now the latest name added to the fray is Dubuque University President Jeff Bullock. He has not stated whether he intends to run for the office but his candidacy would most likely be a no go due to donations to Democrats.

I find it difficult to believe that Mr. Gross’ intentions are pure. However it requires no stretch of the imagination to view his actions as a self-serving ego boost. It is also relatively easy to see that his efforts are a way to boost his presence in Iowa political news. In my opinion Mr. Gross is blind to the harm that he causing to the party by his ill-timed power trip. I urge Mr. Gross to reconsider his strategy before he ruins the chance of any Republican to win election in 2010.

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My Roses and Thistles

May 13, 2009 by 10 Comments

I decided to mimic the Democrat………er Des Moines Register’s rose and thistle section.

A rose goes to Donald Trump in his decision to let Miss California retain her crown.  While the photo fiasco was reason enough to evaluate her reign, we all know why Carrie Prejean was really targeted for a crown stripping.  But Mr. Trump being the businessman that he is realizes the media bonanza this has caused and decided to side with Prejean while covering his butt by saying “President Obama believes marriage is between one man and one woman also.”  OUCH!

A thistle to newly elected and soon to be past chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele.  On a recent radio stent he decided to shoot himself in the foot once more by blabbering that Mitt Romney did not get the nomination because the base had issues with his Mormon faith.  Whether this is correct or not is not the point.  The point is that a man elected to raise money and ensure Republican victories should not be ripping the party in half.

A thistle to the National Council for a New America and its attempt to re-brand the GOP.  All this council boils down to is a group of 2012 presidential hopefuls and one presidential loser posing for a photo-op while promising to mingle with the peasants and “listen” to them.  First, they should have been listening all along and it doesn’t take a tour to do that.  Second of all, maybe they should try touring outside of the Beltway radius to find out what they really need to know.  Perhaps the establishment should finally realize that the problems in the party aren’t really between the ficons and the socons or in its platform, but the problem instead lies in that the establishment no longer represents its constituents.  And a rose goes to those in the Republican party who understand all of this.

A thistle to those who believe the marriage issue will not be one of the defining issues of the 2010 Iowa elections.  Gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats was a guest on WHO’s Mikelson in the Morning today and stated that no matter what issues he speaks about at events the question and answer time always reverts back to the marriage issue.  We will remember in November.

And finally, a rose to the American Psychological Association for coming forward and changing their stance on the cause of  homosexual behavior.  Once again science is on our side (as it also is regarding the question of when life begins) because the APA has concluded that there are no findings pointing to a “gay gene.”  OUCH!  So much for comparing the marriage issue to the civil rights movement or women’s suffrage.

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Passenger Rail: Reviving the Dinosaur

May 13, 2009 by 7 Comments

Passenger Train OldIn the early part of the century passenger rail service was the preferred method of long-distance travel. Then along came more advanced methods of transportation; the automobile and the airplane. These methods quickly replaced rail as the most common methods of transportation. This precipitated a sharp decline in rail service until the 1970’s. It was in 1971 that the federal government decided to create Amtrak, the government sponsored passenger rail service that we know today. Over the years Amtrak has proven to be nothing more than a money pit. Amtrak has failed miserably in the quest for self-sustainment. Instead it has relied heavily upon massive cash infusion from the federal government to keep it operating. And yet in spite of this harsh reality some elected officials in both Illinois and Iowa intend to expand that service to include a line from Des Moines to Iowa City to Chicago.

Part of the absurdity of this plan is the proximity of another Amtrak line regularly traveled by the train known as the California Zephyr. One of the stops on this line, Ottumwa, is just 87 miles from Des Moines which driving the speed limit is just an hour and a half away. Another station accessible from the Des Moines area is the one in Osceola. This station is even closer to Des Moines at just 49 miles, less than an hour drive time. The station closest to Iowa City is the one in Mount Pleasant. This station is just 51 miles from Iowa City with a travel time of less than one hour. So it is not unreasonable to expect people to drive to their nearest Amtrak station to catch the train to Chicago.

Furthermore I find it difficult to believe that there is enough interest in a new rail service to warrant this project. One such reason is the cost. For example Chicago is about 225 miles from Iowa City. Driving a vehicle that achieves 20 MPG the cost of driving to Chicago would require just 11.25 gallons of gasoline. At three dollars per gallon that trip would cost the individual just $33.75. The cost for rail travel from Mount Pleasant to Chicago would cost $72 for just one passenger. When you throw in additional passengers the disparity goes up dramatically because while it may decrease MPG of the car by 1 or 2 MPG’s the cost of rail travel doubles.

As has been illustrated over and over again by Amtrak, passenger rail service is no longer a viable option for the United States. With the advent of passenger jets that will transport people across the country in a fraction of the time passenger trains have been relegated to a quaint portion of American History. The efforts to revive the industry by Illinois and Iowa elected official’s amounts to nothing more than an effort to spend tax payer money to appease the environmental lobby. And as they do this they will burden future generations with millions of dollars of debt. Talk about going down the wrong track.

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Postville Paradox

May 12, 2009 by 1 Comment

After The RaidImmigration reform is on the minds of some residents of Postville, IA today as they observe the anniversary of one of the nation’s largest immigration raids. It was one year ago today that the community of Postville was rocked by the immigration raid on the Agriprocessors meat packing plant in Postville. With warrant in hand the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement descended upon this small Iowa community to conduct an immigration raid on the kosher meatpacking plant. In the course of the investigation ICE apprehend hundreds of individuals on the suspicion of identity theft and illegal immigration. Over the last year many of the individuals that were apprehended have been convicted and deported to their country of origin. But that was only part of the story as the CEO of Agriprocessors was has also been apprehended and charged with a variety of crimes. Without a doubt the raid and subsequent prosecutions are a clear victory for law and order in the US.

The opponents of the raids do not seem to agree with this sentiment though. Opponents of the ICE enforcement efforts have apparently erected a billboard across from the Agriprocessors plant with the comment “ICE raids destroy communities.” What these people fail to grasp is that the individuals apprehended in the raid violated federal laws. By demonizing the men and women tasked with enforcing the law they romanticize and elevate lawlessness.

For whatever reason, the people protesting and rallying in Postville fail to see where the fault lies in their dilemma. They misplace the guilt onto the men and women of ICE by making their absurd claim that ICE raids destroy communities. For some odd reason they fail to see that the root of their problem does not stem from enforcement of the law, but the violation of the law. This despite the fact that each and every individual that has been deported was tried and convicted in a court of law.And so they continue to push for their version of immigration reform which in reality is not reform, it is total capitulation of U.S. law. At the end of the day what these protesters are really calling for is complete immigration lawlessness.

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New Highway won’t last 30 years

May 12, 2009 by 3 Comments

In the southeast corner of Marion county this past Thursday morning. I started to see some of the money Governor Culver and the Democrats borrowed going to work. The road to the small town of Bussey, Iowa population 500, G 71 which is approximately 5 miles long, was stripped of the old asphalt surface. Maybe this was a needed repair but 5 miles worth? I would have been pleasantly pleased if they had repaired the bad spots and the pot holes and the dips. I sat here in my home and watched them rip up the old road thinking there is no way the new road surface when the new black top is done will be around 30 years from now when the money our leaders borrowed is to be finally paid off. I would bet ya it won’t last 5 years as it has alot of semi traffic coming off Highway 5 cutting through the area on the way down to Cargill at Eddyville Iowa. My friend came over I told him his son who is 9 would probably have to help pay this off for 21 years after he turns 18. Its sad to think there are babys not even born yet thats going to be saddled to paying off money to repair things that will be worn out long before they are born. And all our Democratic leaders could say was quote ” I hope no children have to pay for this”. If you look at it this way no children will pay for this now but any child born in Iowa for the next 12 years could very possibly pay on it. Im sure these kids will be over joyed once they get into their teenage years to discover that in a few years their tax money will be going towards paying off a debt they didn’t even create. And alot of the stuff done with the money is already worn out and needs repaired or replaced again. Im glad they are so thoughtful of the future of Iowa’s children. Spending it before they are even born.

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Being Prepared

May 10, 2009 by 4 Comments

I have been busy stocking up on canned goods lately. I have read alot of people are doing the same thing, and some store chains have had trouble keeping canned goods stocked. You look at gun and ammunition sales are way up. My dad grew up and went through the Great Depression of the 30s and he said you would have to defend your property,garden from people who are not prepared. When I was young I didnt believe him that this day might come but way things are looking Im thinking he might not been wrong.
I seen another blog on this subject and some of the comments were like the grasshopper and the ant making fun of people for stock piling food. Even if nothing comes of this your prepared for what ever comes along. Its a matter of time I feel before we get hammered with mega inflation as we have printed trillions of dollars and their value will go through the basement. I would rather much be prepared as being hungry and wishing I had. I stocked up on dried beans as many types of those as I can. I also bought every type of canned vegy the store carried. Some of  these may be things we dont like to eat but if hard times come its better than having nothing to eat at all. Another thing that guns come in handy for not just protecting your self and bible as thats what we are clinging to if you ask our wonderful President Obama. In Iowa there is a abundance of deer and wild game to eat. Not to mention a person can go fishing and stock up a supply of some frozen fish for winter. If history has taught us anything it has a knack of repeating itself and back in the depression people was alot more prepared as many in the little towns and small cities had chickens and a old milk cow and big gardens alot of people dont have that anymore. My friends and me are planting a big garden and we plan on canning food from it. I know one thing it sure dont hurt to put back a few months supply worth of food.

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Another thistle to the Des Moines Register

May 7, 2009 by 2 Comments

There was a great Letter to the Editor published recently in the Des Moines Register. While I do not agree with the writer about same gender marriage, I do agree with his thoughts about the very apparent leanings of the Register when it comes to coverage of the same-sex marriage fiasco that has come to Iowa.

Mr. Brothers has taken the Register to task and I could not have said it any better myself.

Just in case you missed the letter I will share it in my post. And by the way, I give a “rose” to Mr. Brothers for giving it back to the Register! Sadly, I agree that the Register does not get it even with falling circulation and lay offs they continue to push their liberal ways.

And a gone-to-seed thistle to the Des Moines Register. Special Delivery, of course.

I am a supporter of the societal-granted right of two people of the same gender to marry, but I am not a supporter of the way it has come about in our state.

The people must be given a voice in this matter, but if one listened to your paper only, the decision is rendered. Get over it, Iowa. Move on, and accept the economic boon headed our way.

I had to chuckle at the tone of the Register’s April 26 thistle, which was reminiscent of how a condescending jerk would speak to a wayward child.
Permit me to speak in the same manner with you. Register editorial writers: Unanimous decisions carry the same weight as simple majority decisions. Repeatedly stating that the Iowa Supreme Court decision was unanimous does not make its decision any more “right.” Got it? Somehow, I doubt it.

- Michael Brothers, Ames

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Adair County Supervisors take a stand!

May 7, 2009 by 1 Comment

Finally some elected officials who have the guts to take a stand on an issue. My faith in Iowa has been somewhat restored. Adair County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution “demanding that the Iowa Legislature take action to either end same-sex marriage in Iowa, or let the public vote on the matter.”

I have had to hear over and over and over that the Iowa Supreme Court ruled unanimously in their “opinion” to allow same-sex marriages to come to Iowa.

So let me state here that the Adair County Supervisors, all 5 of them, approved their resolution without debate.

I am proud of these five citizens of Adair County. They have acted in a very American way.

As with other posts on Iowa Defense Alliance the gay rights people will find this one. And, they will probably go after Adair County and any other elected officials who dare to go against their life style. But bullying will only go so far. Out of state gay activists with their causes and vast amounts of money to influence Iowa life has been exposed. If County Supervisors in Adair County can take a stand, then the rest of us need to stand with them in spite of the name calling and other abuse that will come for taking such a bold stand on the gay marriage ‘opinion’.

It was a bright spot in my day to find out that Adair County acted in such a clear and forthright way. Adair County Supervisors were unanimous in their call for the Iowa Legislature to take action. Others will need to follow suit because Governor Culver has backed out of his word to keep marriage in Iowa between one man and one woman. How awesome to see that Iowa Citizens have more gumption than those who sit in black robes or temporarily reside in the city of Des Moines.

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Bob Vander Plaats on “Huckabee” with Culver’s Mugshot

May 5, 2009 by 1 Comment

Bob Vander Plaats is perhaps the first Iowa gubernatorial candidate to have face time in front of a national audience on a number one rated weekend cable news show.  Chet Culver is also perhaps the first Iowa governor to have his mugshot displayed to this same national audience for not doing his job:  leading.

Bob Vander Plaats appeared on Mike Huckabee’s top rated FOX News show this past weekend to demonstrate what a real leader looks like and he did an excellent job.  While it is well known Vander Plaats’ firm stance supporting traditional marriage he did not focus on that during his time on Huckabee.  He instead focused on the Iowa Supreme Court giving a opinion in contrary to Iowa law and Governor Culver’s lack of leadership in dealing with that ruling and the refusal to let Iowans vote on the issue.

It is too bad that Culver, Tom Miller, One Iowa, and Lambda Legal all turned down Huckabee’s request to present their side of the argument on his show.  They must have all had to wash their hair or something…………or maybe it’s because they didn’t want to venture into “Huck’s Hot Seat.”  To be fair, Governor Culver did issue a statement to the show that he was “reluctant to amend the Iowa Constitution.”  I thought Chet was a history teacher.  I’m pretty sure the Governor himself can’t amend the state constitution.

Add this to the list of other Iowa embarassments on national television.

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Anticipating 2010

May 4, 2009 by 10 Comments

Barring a special session the Iowa legislative session has come to a close. Now Iowa Republicans can turn their attention toward rebuilding the party in anticipation of the 2010 election cycle. This cycle will be critical for all Iowan’s as it will determine whether the state continues to be saddled with the financially irresponsible incumbent Chet Culver or if the voters of the state choose to replace him. The 2010 election cycle has already begun with two candidates having already announced their candidacy. One of which is a Governor Culver. The other is Republican Bob Vander Plaats. As I see it there will be several issues that I think will play a role in determining who the next chief executive of Iowa will be.

Gay marriage. Some people in Iowa have made the claim that gay marriage will take a back seat to economic issues in the 2010 Governors race. I have to respectfully disagree with this assumption because even weeks after the Iowa Supreme Courts opinion many people, both Democrat and Republican, are upset over the ruling. And because such a large number of Iowan’s are opposed to gay marriage it is only natural that it would play an important role in the race. This issue has also called the Governor Culver’s credibly into question because of a promise that he had made. Last year Culver had promised to fight for traditional marriage only to break that promise when the Iowa Supreme Court handed down its opinion on the case.

Taxes. Taxes turned out to be one of the most controversial issues debated during the legislative session that just ended. The Democrats controlling the Iowa legislature developed a scheme to raise taxes in Iowa by repealing Iowa’s federal income tax deductibility. This in turn outraged hundreds of Iowan’s as they filled the gallery in the Iowa House of Representatives only to be ejected so that Speaker Pat Murphy could indulge in some bizarre power trip. But the people of Iowa never the less continued to oppose the Democrats plan and were ultimately victorious this session as the bill was never debated. With the Iowa economy still in shambles and the Iowa budget wrecked for years to come the people of this fair state must remain vigilant because they are sure to try again.

Government Spending/Government Borrowing. The issue of government spending reared its ugly head as Iowa Democrats continued to spend in the face of economic uncertainty. Despite the fact that revenues were still higher than they were the previous year the state ran a deficit this year. As a result of the unrestrained spending by the Democrats at the state level Governor Culver decided that it was in the best interest of the state to borrow millions of dollars to fund infrastructure improvements. Now some unofficial numbers that I have heard for the next Iowa budget are in the neighborhood of $1 billion in deficit. It is only a matter of time until Governor Culver wants to borrow from our children’s children to pay for it.

Energy. As Iowa’s energy needs continue to grow and our fossil fuel supplies supposedly dwindling, the issue of our energy policy is sure to be a major topic of debate during the 2010 governor’s race. As Iowa’s power generating plants continue to near retirement it will be important for potential candidates for governor to realistically deal with the looming power shortages that would surely plague our state.  And while technologies such as wind and solar power would be completely renewable, at this time they are nothing more than dreams. Iowa needs a more reliable source of power generation on which to draw.

Governmental Accountability. Nothing was more evident this session than the need for a government more accountable to the people of Iowa. From Iowa Speaker of the House Pat Murphy’s kicking 600 of his employers out of the Iowa House to Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstals refusal to let the people of Iowa vote gay marriage it is apparent that government leadership represents the politics of arrogance. Perhaps enacting term limits could be an answer to returning government accountability. Or maybe enacting a law that would allow the people of Iowa to recall an elected official that it deems derelict in his/her official duties. Whatever method is taken cannot be taken soon enough.

Of all the issues that will be discussed and debated during the governor’s race these are the issues that I think will dominate the discussion. As in the nature of politics other issues may become more pressing or these may become less pressing depending upon current events at the time. One thing is for sure, the race for the Governor’s Office will not lack excitement.

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